In 2021, research showed that one out of two drivers were unaware that it’s illegal to drive when impaired by medication. And two out of three drivers used medications likely to cause impairment.
Impaired driving is when your body or emotions have been affected (usually temporarily) in a way that makes you an unsafe driver.
Even though medicine is legal, it can affect your cognitive processing, reaction times and perception of reality. It can also make you more fatigued. It’s illegal to drive when impaired by any medication. This is because you risk causing death or serious injury to yourself and other people.
If impaired, we want you to keep taking your medicine. If you experience any kind of impairment, stop driving immediately, continue taking your medication and contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
The types of medication likely to cause impairment include:
Impairments to watch out for include: